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HomeNews centre'TOAST' drama for schools to highlight the dangers of fireworks

'TOAST' drama for schools to highlight the dangers of fireworks

Published Tuesday, 29th October 2013

An informative play about the dangers of misusing fireworks will be performed to around 1,500 pupils in schools across Edinburgh during the run up to Bonfire Night.

TOAST shows pupils how dangerous fireworks can be, as well as airing issues such as peer
pressure, bullying and managing aggression.

The
production involves two actors playing 11 different characters, with the scene
shifting between a hospital, a home, a school and a housing estate. The principal character is drawn into an
ill-fated escapade with stolen fireworks, with ultimately tragic
consequences.

The play, originally
commissioned by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) in
Northern Ireland, has been adapted for Edinburgh and is being staged by the Strange Theatre Company. It lasts for 30 minutes and has been
organised by staff working in the City of Edinburgh Council’s West Neighbourhood Office.

It will run until Friday 1st November and will be performed to all S2 pupils
in sixteen Edinburgh schools including one special school, that is approximately 1,500 young people aged 12 to 13 years
old.

The weeks
leading up to Bonfire Night are usually a time of increased complaints to
police and councillors about excessive fireworks noise. Elderly people, the very young and domestic
pets are often left particularly distressed by fireworks noise.

Councillor Lesley Hinds, Environment Leader, said: "Bonfire Night
is great fun and families enjoy the spectacle of fireworks as the nights get
darker. However, fireworks can be extremely dangerous if handled improperly.

“The play ‘Toast’ is
an excellent way of helping young people understand the risks and dangers of misusing
fireworks. We will be carrying out test purchasing in shops where fireworks are
on sale to make sure that retailers are adhering to the legislation.”

William MacDonald, Group Commander for The Scottish Fire and
Rescue Service, said: “Bonfire
Night is the busiest time of year for the fire service and we are urging parents and carers to be mindful of the
potential risks from fireworks and the need to heed fire safety advice to
ensure this year’s Guy Fawkes celebrations stay safe.

"We work closely with partners agencies including the
City of Edinburgh Council to raise awareness of the risks and dangers
associated with bonfires and fireworks as well as delivering fire safety advice
to schoolchildren across the area. Toast, which highlights the dangers
associated with fireworks, is an excellent example of this type of initiative.

“Every year, hundreds of people in the UK are
injured by fires and misusing fireworks which are very similar to explosives.
Most at risk are unsupervised children, particularly those who play with fire
or who get too close to bonfires. We want everyone to enjoy this time of year
but to stay safe and advise they stick to supervised bonfires and firework
displays.”

'TOAST' is being performed at the following secondary schools: Drummond
High School, Portobello High School, Castlebrae High School, Craigmount High
School, Craigroyston High School, Queensferry High School, Liberton High
School, Gorgie Mills School, Currie High School, Gracemount High School, Leith
Academy, Holyrood High School, St Augustine’s High School, Firrhill High
School, Tynecastle High School and Wester Hailes Education Centre. The play has
been adapted for use in Edinburgh schools and is aimed at a target audience of
S2 pupils (12 and 13-year-olds).